Bias tape maker

ABSTRACT

A bias tape making device including a housing, a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of fabric, at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle for folding the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges, and a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape and setting the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape. The device includes a plurality of interchangeable bias tape folding tips to produce a variety of different sized single fold bias tapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for making bias tape for finishing and/or decorating garments or the like, and more particularly to a device that folds and presses a flat strip of bias cut fabric into a single fold bias tape.

2. Description of the Relate Art

Bias tape is made from fabric strips that are cut along the bias grain. Because fabric cut on this grain has a great deal of stretch, the tape fits smoothly around curves without adding unnecessary bulk. Bias tape can be used in place of a facing to finish curved edges, such as armholes, necklines of garments, as well as to finish the edges of many household decorative items, such as quilts and place mats.

There are two types of bias tape—single-fold and double-fold. Single-fold bias tape actually has two folds—one running along each long edge of the tape. When single-fold bias tape is used to finish an item, it is stitched to the item edge with right sides together, and then it is turned to the inside of the item and stitched again. The tape never shows on the outside of the garment.

Bias tape is commercially available, however, often there are numerous devices available to fold custom single-fold bias tape. U.S. Pat. No. 1,018,227 discloses a bias band maker wherein a fabric strip is passed through the band to produce folds along the longitudinal ends. Thereafter, a conventional iron can be used to press the edges in place.

A more recent bias tape maker enables a strip of fabric to be passed between an inner and outer shell to produce a pair of longitudinally extending folds. A strip of fusible tape can also be incorporated between the folds. Thereafter, the folds can be fixed or set by ironing. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,516.

It is burdensome and dangerous to set the folds with an iron or other conventional pressing means. Often the bias tape needs to be of long lengths and the edges can become unfolded or uneven during pressing of the strip.

Thus, there is a need for a bias tape maker that folds a strip of material and thermally sets the folds in an even and expeditious manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a bias tape maker having a strip folding and thermal fold setting capability.

Another aspect of the present invention is a bias tape maker device that has a pressing device that presses the folds without the user having any contact with the heating elements.

Yet another aspect of the bias tape maker is to accommodate the creation of multiple sizes of a single-fold bias tape.

Still another aspect of the bias tape maker of the present invention is to enable different types of material to be pressed by providing temperature adjustability and control of the heating assembly.

According to these and other aspects of the present invention there is provided a bias tape making device including a housing, a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of fabric, at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle for folding the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges, and a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape and setting the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape.

The present invention further provides for a method of making a folded bias strip including the steps of providing a bias tape making device, the bias tape making device including a housing, a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of material, at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle and a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape. The length of fabric strip is wrapped on the spindle and the fabric strip is passed through the bias tape folding tip. The tip folds the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges. Thereafter, the folded bias tape is passed through the heated pressing assembly and the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape are pressed.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment relative to the accompanied drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bias tape maker device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the bias tape device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fabric spindle of the bias tape device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guide arm of bias tape device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insert of the bias tip device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fabric folding tip of the bias tape maker of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inner core of the folding tip of the bias tape maker of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the clamp of the folding tip of the bias tape maker of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fabric folding tip taken along line II-II of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view the bias tape maker of the present invention with the middle cover removed.

FIG. 11 is a perspective underside view of the upper pressing assembly part of the bias tape maker of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the upper heating assembly of FIG. 11 without the cover.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the main housing components of the bias tape maker of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view underside view of the upper and lower heating plates of the bias tape maker of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the fabric strip as it passes into the pressing assembly.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the fabric strip as it passes through the pressing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bias tape maker device 10 of the present invention includes a main housing 12, middle cover 14 and an upper cover 16. Upper cover 16 is movably connected to main housing 12 via a pair of hinges 18. The housings and cover can be made of a flame retardant ABS compound.

A spindle 20 is located in upper cover 16. The flat strip of fabric (not shown) is wound on spindle 20 and the spindle is placed in forks 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the spindle ends include grooves 21 that are rotatably received in forks 22. Spindle 20 also includes a slot 19 extending axially therein. A trailing end of the fabric strip can be inserted into slot 19 to aid in wrapping the strip evenly on spindle 20.

A guide 30 is also located in cover 16. As shown in FIG. 3, guide 30 includes an arm 32 and a support 34. As will be described further herein, the fabric from spindle 20 is draped over guide arm 32 and inserted into a bias tape maker tip 24. Spindle 20 includes a plurality of striations 23 spaced around the diameter of the spindle for properly positioning different sizes of fabric strips to align the same guide 30. An end of support 34 is removably located in a post 36 of cover 16. Guide 30 can be made of a flame retardant ABS compound.

Device 10 is portable and when not in use spindle 20 and guide 30 can be removed and placed within shaped slots of an insert 28 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 5, an L-shaped slot 38 is provided to accommodate guide 30. A second slot 39 is capable of receiving spindle 20. When spindle 20 and guide 30 are stored within insert 28 the housing can be closed by cover 16. Referring again to FIG. 2, cover 16 includes a latch 17 that corresponds with a notch 13 located on main housing 12 to lock cover 16 in place on the housing.

The bias tape folding tip 24 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6-9. Tip 24 folds the strip of flat fabric into a single fold bias tape. Tip 24 includes an outer shell 44 and an inner core 46 that is inserted into outer shell 44. Both outer shell 44 and inner core 46 (FIG. 7) are tapered from their respective back to front ends.

Clamp 48 is connected to inner core 46 as shown in FIG. 8. Clamp 48 has a tab 47 that extends below the tip and is received within a slot (not shown) and snapped in place in middle cover 14. Tab 47 is a spring mechanism that allows the entire tip 24 to be disengaged from the device 10 when pressed by a user. In that manner, device 10 can be used with multiple sized tips to accommodate multiple sizes of fabric and fold multiple sizes of single fold bias tape. A user can change the tip based on the finished size of bias tape needed. For example, sizes of tips that can be used with the device of the present invention can be ⅛, ¼, ½, ¾, 1, and 1¼ inch. Additionally, a tip can be provided that folds a 2¼″ in half to only a 1⅛″ bias tape and/or a tip that folds a 2½″ strip in half to only a 1¼″ tape. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to these size tips, but can accommodate other sizes as well.

Referring to FIG. 9, in use a lead edge of a fabric 50, shown in dashed line, is placed on top of guide 30 and inserted into tip 24 from the rear end 43 (FIG. 6) thereof between outer shell 44, inner core 46 and clamp 48. As fabric strip 50 is advanced the strip is folded along its edges to form the single fold bias tape and the folded strip is pulled from the front end 45 (FIG. 6) of the tip.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, bias tape maker 10 includes a heated pressing assembly 60 located in main housing 12 downstream of tip 24. As shown in FIG. 10, pressing assembly 60 includes a removable upper housing 62 and an upper roller case 64. Located in upper roller case 64 is an upper roller 66 as shown in FIG. 11. Upper roller 64 corresponds with lower roller 68 (FIG. 10) to pull the folded bias tape through the pressing assembly as will be described further herein. Rollers 64,68 can be made of steel & silicone.

Upper housing 62 includes an upper spring-loaded plate 70 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Plate 70 is biased downwardly by springs 72 to supply the appropriate pressure to the folded bias tape as is passes thereunder. Plate 70 can be made of a ceramic for heat dispersion.

Referring to FIG. 13, a stationary plate 74 is located in main housing 12 directly beneath spring-loaded plate 72. Plate 74 can be made of a Teflon® coated iron or other material. Plate 74 is coated to allow the folded bias strip to pass smoothly between it and upper spring-loaded plate 72. As shown in FIG. 14, a heating block 76 is located beneath plate 74.

As shown in FIG. 13, a heating control unit 78 (FIG. 13) communicates with heating block 76 to control and monitor the heating of block 76 and plate 74. A temperature dial 80 can be set for different types of fabric to regulate heat control accordingly. When the device has reached the desired temperature a light 84 (FIG. 2) on the main housing will glow to indicate that the device is ready. Control unit 78 also includes an automatic shut-off feature should the device be inactive for more than 10 minutes. For safety reasons, the fabric should be threaded through the tip and rollers prior to the temperature dial being turned on.

In addition to temperature dial 80, a power switch 82, a reset button 86 and a run button 88 are provided in main housing 12. Power switch 82 communicates with a transformer 90 and motor and gear box unit 92 for driving lower roller 68. The temperature control and machine operation work independently. After light 84 indicates that the heating block 76 is ready, run button 88 is pressed to start the rollers.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, in operation, the strip of material 50, shown in dashed lines, is wrapped around spindle 20 with the finish side up and center to tip 24. The spindle is placed in upper cover 16. the leading edge of strip 50, is inserted into tip 24. A mechanism (not shown) is provided to advance the edge of the strip through tip 24 such that the strip is folded along both sides to form a single fold bias tape. Upper housing 60 of the heating assembly is removed and the leading edge of the folded tape is pulled across plate 74 and the rollers. When powered the rollers advance the folded strip and heated assembly 60 presses folds 102 along either side of the finished single fold bias tape 100. The device can fold and press the single fold bias tape with a continuous feed at approximately 15 Fe/min.

The device is designed for universal electronic sources and is UL approved for the United States and Australia. An outlet 52 (FIG. 1) is provided in main housing 12 for access to a power cord and electronic source.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims. 

1. A bias tape making device, comprising: a housing; a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of material; at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle for folding the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges; and a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape and setting the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape.
 2. The bias tape making device of claim 1, further comprising a guide arm removably located in the housing between the spindle and bias tape folding tip for guiding the strip of fabric into the at least one bias tape folding tip.
 3. The bias tape making device of claim 2, wherein the spindle includes a plurality of striations spaced around the diameter of the spindle for properly positioning different sizes of fabric strips to align the same with the guide arm.
 4. The bias tape making device of claim 1, wherein the at least one bias tape folding tip is removably disposed in the housing.
 5. The bias tape making device of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of different sized bias tape folding tips for accommodating a plurality of different sized fabric strips.
 6. The bias tape making device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of bias tape folding tips produce bias tape ranging from ⅛, ¼, ½, ¾, 1, to 1¼ inch.
 7. The bias tape making device of claim 1, wherein the heated press assembly includes an upper, spring loaded plate and a lower, heated stationary plate, wherein the folded bias strip passes between the upper and lower plates to press the folds.
 8. The bias tape making device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of rollers located downstream of the heated press assembly.
 9. The bias tape making device of claim 8, wherein the pair of rollers include an upper roller located in an upper housing of the heated press assembly and a lower roller located in the housing.
 10. The bias tape making device of claim 9, wherein the lower roller is driven to advance the bias tape through the bias tape folding tip and heated press assembly.
 11. The bias tape making device of claim 10, wherein the heated press assembly includes an upper, spring loaded plate and a lower, heated stationary plate, wherein the folded bias strip passes between the upper and lower plates to press the folds.
 12. The bias tape making device of claim 11, further comprising a temperature control for adjusting the temperature of the heated plate.
 13. The bias tape making device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a main housing and a cover hingedly connected to the main housing.
 14. The bias tape making device of claim 13, wherein the spindle and guide arm are removably located in the cover.
 15. The bias tape making device of claim 14, wherein when not in use, the spindle and guide arm are stored inside the cover.
 16. The bias tape making device of claim 13, wherein the bias tape folding tape and heated press assembly are located in the main housing.
 17. The bias tape making device of claim 1, wherein the folded bias tape is a single folded bias tape.
 18. A method of making a folded bias strip comprising the steps of: providing a bias tape making device, the bias tape making device including a housing, a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of material, at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle and a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape; wrapping a length of fabric strip on the spindle; passing the fabric strip through the bias tape folding tip; folding the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges; passing the folded bias tape through the heated pressing assembly and pressing the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fabric strip is folded into a single fold bias tip.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of passing and pressing the folded bias tape comprises passing the folded bias tape in between a pair of plates, wherein at least one of the plates heats and presses the folds.
 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of passing the strip of material from the spindle over a guide arm to facilitate alignment of the strip into the bias tape folding tip. 